Caleb Williams tells ESPN he’s excited about opportunity to play for Bears

Caleb Williams will be the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, and we’re nearing a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears will select him.

The quarterback situation in Chicago makes this situation a bit complicated, but the decision to draft Williams isn’t. The Bears’ incumbent, Justin Fields, is beloved by fans and his teammates, but his talent and upside fall way short of what Williams is capable of. That, combined with Chicago’s ability to reset the quarterback clock with Williams, makes selecting him a no-brainer.

However, general manager Ryan Poles has emphasized that he wants to get to know Caleb Williams the person (as well as all the other quarterback prospects), not just the player. Williams has a perceived quirky personality, whether it’s because he publicly cried after USC’s loss to Washington, or he paints his fingernails, or he wears odd clothes in a GQ photo shoot.

Poles has a lot of digging to do, and he’ll find ESPN’s latest piece on Williams helpful.

Williams dispelled any rumors about him not wanting to play in Chicago or what his career goals might be.

“If I get drafted by the Bears, I’ll be excited,” Williams said.

“I’m not pushing any agenda,” he said. “At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say. Regardless of how I feel, I’m not pushing an agenda of, ‘Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don’t want to go.” I’m excited for whatever comes.”

Williams-to-the-Bears gained serious momentum Tuesday when